JP7472690B2 - Game system, information processing device and program - Google Patents

Description

Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies. (1) Announced in the June 18, 2020 issue of Weekly Famitsu on June 4, 2020. (2) Announced at https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/kikaku/1260180.html on June 24, 2020.

The present invention relates to a game system, an information processing device, and a program.

So-called cloud games have been known in the past, in which a server device processes the game on behalf of a player terminal device and provides the game to a player by transmitting the results of the processing to the player terminal device (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2020-092877 A

However, in conventional cloud games, the server device and the player terminal device are connected via a communication network, which can result in problems with network delays. In addition, cloud games also require installation costs for high-performance server devices capable of processing the cloud games, as well as operational costs such as electricity bills and maintenance labor costs.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a game system, information processing device, and program that can reduce network delays and costs when providing cloud games to players.

In order to solve the above problem, the game system according to the first aspect of the present invention is a game system including a server device capable of communicating with a player terminal device operated by a player, and game execution devices installed at multiple bases, and the server device includes a measuring means for measuring a communication speed between the game execution devices at the multiple bases and the player terminal device when a request is received from the player terminal device, and a selecting means for selecting a game execution device at one base from among the game execution devices at the multiple bases based on the measurement result of the measuring means, and outputting an instruction to the player terminal device to connect to the game execution device at the selected base, and the game execution device at the one base that is connected to the player terminal device performs a game progress process based on the player operation information received from the player terminal device, and transmits the game progress process result to the player terminal device.

In addition, in the game system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the game execution device executes a first game when a value medium is paid, and executes a second game different from the first game when connected to the player terminal device for communication.

In addition, in the game system according to the third aspect of the present invention, the measurement means acquires the operation status of the game execution devices at the multiple locations, and the selection means selects a game execution device at one location from among the game execution devices at the multiple locations based on the measurement results and the operation status.

In addition, in the game system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the selection means selects the game execution device at the base that shows the fastest communication speed among the measurement results.

In addition, in a game system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the server device includes a storage means for storing a plurality of bases linked to each region, and the measurement means extracts one base from among the plurality of bases for each region, measures the communication speed between the game execution device of each extracted base and the player terminal device, extracts a region linked to the base that shows the fastest communication speed among the measurement results, and measures the communication speed between the game execution device of the plurality of bases linked to the extracted region and the player terminal device.

In addition, in a game system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the game is a competitive game in which one player competes against other players, and the selection means selects a game execution device that is a common base for the one player and the other players based on the measurement results of the communication speed between the player terminal device of the one player and each game execution device and the measurement results of the communication speed between the player terminal device of the other players and each game execution device.

In addition, in the game system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the server device includes a delay means for executing a delay process to slow down the faster communication speed so that the faster communication speed becomes equal to the slower communication speed when there is a difference between the measurement result of the communication speed between the player terminal device of the one player and the game execution device at the common base selected by the selection means and the measurement result of the communication speed between the player terminal device of the other player and the game execution device at the common base selected by the selection means.

In addition, in the game system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when the server device is a matching server device, the game server device performs a game progress process based on the player operation information received from the player terminal device and transmits the game progress process results to the player terminal device, and the selection means selects one of the game execution device of the one base and the game server device according to the current time zone as a target for communication connection with the player terminal device.

In addition, an information processing device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is an information processing device capable of communicating with a player terminal device operated by a player, and includes: a measuring means for measuring a communication speed between game execution devices installed at multiple bases and the player terminal device when a request is received from the player terminal device; and a selecting means for selecting a game execution device at one base from among the game execution devices at the multiple bases based on a measurement result of the measuring means, and outputting an instruction to the player terminal device to connect to the game execution device at the selected base.

The program according to the tenth aspect of the present invention causes a computer capable of communicating with a player terminal device operated by a player to function as a measuring means for measuring the communication speed between game execution devices installed at multiple bases and the player terminal device when a request is received from the player terminal device, and a selecting means for selecting a game execution device at one base from among the game execution devices at the multiple bases based on the measurement result of the measuring means, and outputting an instruction to the player terminal device to connect to the game execution device at the selected base.

According to the present invention, when providing cloud games to players, it is possible to reduce network delays and costs.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server device. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the arcade game device illustrated in FIG. 1. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a server device in the game system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of the game system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system according to a second embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of a game system according to a second embodiment. A block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system according to a third embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of a game system according to a third embodiment.

Below, several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components and steps in each drawing will be given the same reference numerals as much as possible, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

First Embodiment
First, the game system according to the first embodiment will be described.

---overall structure---
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system 1A according to a first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game system 1A according to the first embodiment includes a server device 10, a player terminal device 12, and a number of commercial game devices 14. These devices are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a communication network NT such as the Internet or a telephone line.

When a player P plays a game on a player terminal device 12, the server device 10 matches the player terminal device 12 with an arcade game device 14. Specifically, the server device 10 selects one of the arcade game devices 14 as the target for executing the game to be played by the player P.

The player terminal device 12 is a terminal device operated by the player P. This player terminal device 12 has installed therein a program such as a browser for outputting game content and processing results executed on the arcade game device 14. Examples of such player terminal devices 12 include personal computers, mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, etc.

The commercial game device 14 is an example of a game execution device, and is a so-called arcade game machine installed in multiple bases in multiple regions in a prefecture in Japan, such as a store S (store A, store B, store C, etc.) such as a game center or a department store. One or more commercial game devices 14 are installed in one store S. This commercial game device 14 executes a first game (arcade game) in which a game is played directly on the commercial game device 14 (game execution device) when a value medium such as coins, points, cash, electronic money, or credit card is paid. In the first embodiment, the commercial game device 14 executes a second game (cloud game) in which a game is played on the commercial game device 14 (game execution device) remotely from the player terminal device 12, which is different from the first game, when a communication connection with the player terminal device 12 is established. The first game and the second game may have the same title or different titles. In the following, the second game may be referred to as a "cloud game". Note that, although the commercial game device 14 has been described as an example of a game execution device, other examples of the game execution device include a game server device. For example, if the game execution device is a game server device, its base is a server center, not a store.

---Hardware configuration---
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the server device 10. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 10 includes a control device 20, a communication device 26, and a storage device 28. The control device 20 is mainly configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 22 and a memory 24.

In the control device 20, the CPU 22 executes a predetermined program stored in the memory 24 or the storage device 28, etc., to function as various functional means. Details of these functional means will be described later.

The communication device 26 is composed of a communication interface for communicating with an external device. The communication device 26 transmits and receives various information to and from the player terminal device 12, for example.

The storage device 28 is composed of a hard disk or the like. This storage device 28 stores various programs and information necessary for executing processing in the control device 20, as well as information on the processing results.

The server device 10 can be realized using an information processing device such as a dedicated or general-purpose server computer. The server device 10 may be composed of a single information processing device, or may be composed of multiple information processing devices distributed over a communication network NT. FIG. 2 shows only a portion of the main hardware configuration of the server device 10, and the server device 10 may have other configurations that are generally included in a server. The hardware configuration of the multiple player terminal devices 12 may also have the same configuration as the server device 10, except for including, for example, an operating means, a display device, and a sound output device.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the arcade game device 14 shown in Figure 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the arcade game machine 14 includes a coin shooter 30, a CPU 32, a memory 34, a display device 36, a sound output device 38, an input device 40, and a communication device 42. The arcade game machine 14 may also include an electronic payment device capable of making electronic payments together with or in place of the coin shooter 30.

The coin shooter 30 accepts coin payments from player P.

The CPU 32 executes the first game and the second game.

The memory 34 stores a game program for a first game and a game program for a second game. The game program for the second game may be stored in the memory 34 via a portable storage medium or a communication network NT, etc.

The display device 36 displays the game screen of the first game.

The sound output device 38 outputs the game sounds of the first game.

The input device 40 inputs operation information.

The communication device 42 is composed of a communication interface for communicating with an external device. The communication device 26 transmits and receives various information to and from the player terminal device 12, for example.

---Functional configuration---
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server device 10 in the game system 1A according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the server device 10 has, as its functional configuration, a storage means 60, an authentication means 62, a measurement means 64, and a selection means 66. These functional configurations are realized by the control device 20 executing a program.

The storage means 60 has a function to store, for example, a store table 60A, player information 60B, and play data 60C. In the store table 60A, a plurality of stores S are registered for each prefecture, in other words, for each region, in association with connection destination information such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address for communicating with the commercial game device 14 of each store S. The player information 60B includes, for example, authentication information such as a user ID and password, a user name, and contact information. The play data 60C is save data in which the progress of the cloud game is recorded.

When a login request is received from the player terminal device 12, the authentication means 62 has the function of executing an authentication process based on the information contained in the login request and the authentication information of the player information 60B.

When the measurement means 64 receives a request from a player terminal device 12, it has a function of measuring the communication speed between the player terminal device 12 and the commercial game devices 14 of the multiple stores S. Actual measurement may be performed by the player terminal device 12 or the commercial game devices 14 of the multiple stores S. In the first embodiment, the player terminal device 12 measures the communication speed. In this case, the measurement means 64 outputs a measurement instruction to the player terminal device 12 to measure the communication speed between the player terminal device 12 and the commercial game devices 14 of the multiple stores S.
In addition, for example, when the number of stores S is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the measurement means 64 may extract one store from the multiple stores S for each region, output an instruction to measure the communication speed between the commercial game device 14 of each extracted store and the player terminal device 12, and extract the region associated with the store that showed the fastest communication speed among the measurement results, and output an instruction to measure the communication speed between the commercial game device 14 of the multiple stores S associated with the extracted region and the player terminal device 12.
Furthermore, the measurement means 64 may instruct the commercial game devices 14 of multiple stores S or each store S to measure the operating status of the commercial game devices 14 of multiple stores S, and acquire the operating status. Examples of the operating status include information on whether or not the device is operating, the operating rate, the average operating rate, and the like.

The selection means 66 has a function of, when receiving a measurement result of communication speed from the player terminal device 12 or the like, selecting (matching) an arcade game device 14 of one store from among the arcade game devices 14 of the multiple stores S based on the measurement result, and outputting an instruction to the player terminal device 12 to connect to the arcade game device 14 of the selected one store. Specifically, the selection means 66 selects, from among the arcade game devices 14 of the multiple stores S, the arcade game device 14 of the store S that shows the measurement result with the fastest communication speed among the measurement results. Note that the arcade game device 14 of the one store S that is connected to the player terminal device 12 for communication performs a progress process of the cloud game based on the operation information of the player P received from the player terminal device 12, and transmits the progress process result of the game to the player terminal device 12. That is, the arcade game device 14 executes a first game when a value medium is paid, and executes a second game different from the first game when connected to the player terminal device for communication.
In addition, the selection means 66 may select an arcade game device from among the arcade game devices 14 of the multiple stores S based on the communication speed measurement results and the operating status of the arcade game devices 14 of the multiple stores S.

---Processing flow---
5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the game system 1A according to the first embodiment. Note that the contents and order of the following processing can be changed as appropriate.

(Step SP10)
The player terminal device 12 transmits a login request including the user ID, password, IP address, etc. of the player P to the server device 10. Then, the process proceeds to step SP12.

(Step SP12)
The server device 10 receives a login request from the player terminal device 12. In response to this, the authentication means 62 of the server device 10 executes authentication processing based on the user ID and password included in the login request and the player information 60B. If this authentication processing is successful, the process proceeds to step SP14. If the authentication processing fails, an error is output to the player terminal device 12, and the series of processing shown in FIG. 5 ends.

(Step SP14)
The measurement means 64 of the server device 10 extracts one store from the multiple stores S for each region. When a store representative of each region is registered in the store table 60A, the measurement means 64 extracts one store representative of the multiple stores S for each region based on the store table 60A. Then, the process proceeds to step SP16.

(Step SP16)
The measuring means 64 acquires the IP address of each of the extracted arcades as connection destination information of the arcades' game devices 14 from the arcade table 60A. Next, the measuring means 64 outputs (transmits) a measurement instruction to the player terminal device 12 to measure the communication speed between the arcades' game devices 14 of one arcade extracted for each region and the player terminal device 12. Note that this measurement instruction includes the IP address of the arcades' game devices 14 of each arcade acquired by the measuring means 64. Then, the process proceeds to step SP18.

(Step SP18)
The player terminal device 12 receives the measurement instruction from the server device 10. In response to this, the player terminal device 12 measures the communication speed between the player terminal device 12 and each of the arcade's commercial game devices 14 extracted for each area, based on each IP address included in the measurement instruction. Next, the player terminal device 12 transmits the measurement result of the communication speed to the server device 10. Then, the process proceeds to step SP20.

(Step SP20)
The server device 10 receives the measurement results from the player terminal devices 12. In response to this, the measurement means 64 extracts one area linked to the store that shows the fastest communication speed among the received measurement results. Then, the process proceeds to step SP22.

(Step SP22)
The measurement means 64 acquires, from the store table 60A, each IP address as connection destination information of the commercial game devices 14 of the multiple stores S linked to the extracted one area. Next, the measurement means 64 outputs (transmits) to the player terminal device 12 a measurement instruction to measure the communication speed between the commercial game devices 14 of the multiple stores S linked to the one area and the player terminal device 12. Note that this measurement instruction includes each IP address acquired by the measurement means 64. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP24.

(Step SP24)
The player terminal device 12 receives the measurement instruction from the server device 10. In response to this, the player terminal device 12 measures the communication speed between the player terminal device 12 and each of the commercial game devices 14 of the multiple stores S associated with one area, based on each IP address included in the measurement instruction. Next, the player terminal device 12 transmits the measurement results of the communication speed to the server device 10. Then, the process proceeds to step SP26.

(Step SP26)
The server device 10 receives the measurement result of the communication speed from the player terminal device 12. In response to this, the selection means 66 of the server device 10 selects an arcade game device of one store from among the arcade game devices 14 of multiple stores S associated with one region, based on the received measurement result. Specifically, the selection means 66 selects the arcade game device 14 of the store S that shows the measurement result with the fastest communication speed among the measurement results. Here, if there are multiple arcade game devices 14 in one store S, the selection means 66 selects an arcade game device 14 that is not currently in use from among the multiple arcade game devices 14. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP28.

(Step SP28)
The measuring means 64 acquires the operating rate, for example, for one day, of the commercial game devices 14 of the store S selected by the selecting means 66. Next, the selecting means 66 judges whether the acquired operating rate is equal to or higher than a threshold value, for example, 90% or 95%. If the judgment is affirmative, the process returns to step SP26, whereas if the judgment is negative, the process proceeds to step SP30. When returning to step SP26, the selecting means 66 selects a commercial game device of one store from the commercial game devices 14 of multiple stores S associated with one region, excluding the commercial game devices 14 of the store S previously selected.

(Step SP30)
The selection means 66 transmits (outputs) a connection instruction to the player terminal device 12 so as to connect for communication with the arcade game device 14 of the selected one of the stores S. This connection instruction includes the IP address of the arcade game device 14 of the selected one of the stores S. Then, the process proceeds to step SP32.

(Step SP32)
The player terminal device 12 receives a connection instruction from the server device 10. In response to this, the player terminal device 12 establishes a communication connection with the commercial game device 14 of one store S selected by the selection means 66, based on the IP address included in the received connection instruction. Next, the player terminal device 12 transmits a request to execute a cloud game to the commercial game device 14 with which the communication connection has been established. Then, the processing proceeds to step SP34.

(Step SP34)
The commercial gaming device 14 receives an execution request from the player terminal device 12. In response to this, the commercial gaming device 14 starts executing the cloud game. Next, the commercial gaming device 14 outputs game data (game screen data and game sound data) of the executed cloud game to the player terminal device 12. At this time, if there is play data 60C of the player P, the commercial gaming device 14 receives it from the server device 10 directly or via the player terminal device 12 and reflects it in the cloud game. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP36.

(Step SP36)
The player terminal device 12 receives game data from the arcade game device 14. In response to this, the player terminal device 12 outputs game content (game screens and game sounds) based on the received game data to a display device, a sound output device, etc. Then, the process proceeds to step SP38.

(Step SP38)
When the player terminal device 12 receives input of operation information from the player P, it transmits the operation information to the arcade game device 14. Then, the process proceeds to step SP40.

(Step SP40)
The commercial game device 14 receives operation information from the player terminal device 12. In response to this, the commercial game device 14 performs a process of progressing the cloud game based on the received operation information, and transmits the progress processing result to the player terminal device 12. Then, the processing proceeds to step SP42.

(Step SP42)
The player terminal device 12 receives the progress processing result from the arcade game device 14. In response to this, the arcade game device 14 outputs the received progress processing result to a display device, a sound output device, etc. Then, the processing proceeds to step SP44.

(Step SP44)
The player terminal device 12 determines whether or not there is an instruction to end the cloud game based on the operation information or the progress processing result of the player P. If the determination is affirmative, the series of processes shown in Fig. 5 ends, and if the determination is negative, the process returns to step SP38.

---effect---
As described above, in the first embodiment, a game system 1A is provided with a server device 10 capable of communicating with a player terminal device 12 operated by a player P, and commercial game devices 14 installed in a plurality of stores S. When the server device 10 receives a request from the player terminal device 12, the server device 10 is provided with a measurement means 64 for measuring a communication speed between the commercial game devices 14 of the plurality of stores S and the player terminal device 12, and a selection means 66 for selecting an commercial game device of one store from the commercial game devices 14 of the plurality of stores S based on a measurement result of the measurement, and outputting an instruction to the player terminal device 12 to communicate with the commercial game device of the selected store. The commercial game device 14 of the one store S that is connected to and communicates with the player terminal device 12 performs a process of progressing the cloud game based on player operation information received from the player terminal device 12, and transmits a result of the progress process of the cloud game to the player terminal device 12.
According to this configuration, an arcade game device of one store is selected from among the arcade game devices 14 of multiple stores S to communicate with the player terminal device 12 based on the measurement result of the communication speed, so that if an arcade game device with a faster communication speed than that of communication between the player terminal device 12 and the server device 10 is selected, network delays can be suppressed when a cloud game is provided to a player P. Furthermore, the server device 10 does not need to be high-performance enough to process the progress of a cloud game, so installation costs can be suppressed. Furthermore, the progress processing of the cloud game can be effectively performed by the arcade game devices 14 of the store S, so that operation costs can be suppressed.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the commercial gaming device 14 executes a first game when a value medium is paid, and executes a second game different from the first game when the commercial gaming device 14 is connected to and communicates with the player terminal device 12.
According to this configuration, the commercial gaming device 14 can execute a second game dedicated to cloud gaming, thereby expanding the scope of cloud gaming.

Also, in the first embodiment, the measurement means 64 acquires the operating status of the commercial game devices 14 of the multiple stores S, and the selection means 66 selects an commercial game device of one store from among the commercial game devices 14 of the multiple stores S based on the measurement results and the operating status.
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the arcade game machine 14 from being unable to execute the first game due to executing the second game.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the selection means 66 selects the arcade game machine 14 of the store S that has shown the fastest communication speed among the measurement results.
According to this configuration, when a cloud game is provided to a player P, network delays can be further reduced.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the server device 10 is equipped with a storage means 60 that links and stores multiple stores S for each region, and the measurement means 64 extracts one store from the multiple stores S for each region, measures the communication speed between the commercial game device 14 of each extracted store and the player terminal device 12, extracts the region linked to the store S that shows the fastest communication speed among the measurement results, and measures the communication speed between the commercial game device 14 of the multiple stores S linked to the extracted region and the player terminal device 12.
According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the burden on the player terminal device 12 and the arcade game device 14 when measuring the communication speed.

Second Embodiment
Next, a game system according to a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the cloud game is a competitive game in which a plurality of players P, for example, one player competes against another player.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system 1B according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the game system 1B according to the second embodiment includes a first player terminal device 12A and a second player terminal device 12B as terminal devices 12.

The first player terminal device 12A is a device operated by one player P1. The second player terminal device 12B is a device operated by another player P2 who will be the opponent of the one player P1.

In the second embodiment, the server device 10 is also provided with a delay means as a new functional configuration. When there is a difference between the measurement result of the communication speed between the first player terminal device 12A of one player P1 and the commercial game device 14 of the common store S selected by the selection means 66 and the measurement result of the communication speed between the second player terminal device 12B of the other player P2 and the commercial game device 14 of the common store S selected by the selection means 66, this delay means executes a delay process to slow down the faster communication speed so that the faster communication speed becomes the same as the slower communication speed.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the game system 1B according to the second embodiment. Note that the following processing is started after the authentication processing of step SP12 shown in Figure 5. Also, the content and order of the following processing can be changed as appropriate.

(Step SP60)
The server device 10 determines an opponent to play against one player P1 from among the multiple players P. In the second embodiment, the server device 10 determines another player P2 from among the multiple players P. Then, the process proceeds to step SP62.

(Step SP62)
The measurement means 64 of the server device 10 acquires the IP addresses of the commercial game devices 14 of the multiple stores S as connection destination information from the store table 60A. Next, the measurement means 64 outputs (transmits) a measurement instruction to measure the communication speed between the commercial game devices 14 of the multiple stores S and the first player terminal device 12A to the first player terminal device 12A. The measurement means 64 also outputs (transmits) a measurement instruction to measure the communication speed between the commercial game devices 14 of the multiple stores S and the second player terminal device 12B to the second player terminal device 12B. Note that this measurement instruction includes the IP addresses acquired by the measurement means 64. Then, the process proceeds to step SP64.

(Step SP64)
The first player terminal device 12A receives the measurement instruction from the server device 10. In response to this, the first player terminal device 12A measures the communication speed between the first player terminal device 12A and each of the commercial game devices 14 of the multiple stores S, based on each IP address included in the measurement instruction. Next, the first player terminal device 12A transmits the measurement results of the communication speed to the server device 10. Then, the process proceeds to step SP68.

(Step SP66)
The second player terminal device 12B receives the measurement instruction from the server device 10. In response to this, the second player terminal device 12B measures the communication speed between the second player terminal device 12B and each of the commercial game devices 14 of the multiple stores S based on each IP address included in the measurement instruction. Next, the second player terminal device 12B transmits the measurement results of the communication speed to the server device 10. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP68.

(Step SP68)
The selection means 66 calculates, for each store, the difference between the measurement result of the communication speed between the first player terminal device 12A of one player P1 and each commercial game device 14 and the measurement result of the communication speed between the second player terminal device 12B of another player P2 and each commercial game device 14. The selection means 66 may calculate the delay time of the network delay from the measurement result of the communication speed between the first player terminal device 12A of one player P1 and each commercial game device 14, and calculate the delay time of the network delay from the measurement result of the communication speed between the second player terminal device 12B of the other player P2 and each commercial game device 14, and calculate the difference between these delay times for each store. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP70.

(Step SP70)
The selection means 66 calculates the delay time of network delay from the measurement results of the communication speed between the first player terminal device 12A of one player P1 and each of the commercial game devices 14. The selection means 66 also calculates the delay time of network delay from the measurement results of the communication speed between the second player terminal device 12B of the other player P2 and each of the commercial game devices 14. Next, the selection means 66 calculates the total delay time by adding up the delay times between the one player P1 and the other players P2 for each store. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP72.

(Step SP72)
The selection means 66 extracts one store S having the smallest calculated difference in communication speed from among the multiple stores S. Then, the process proceeds to step SP74.

(Step SP74)
The selection means 66 judges whether or not the difference in the extracted one shop is equal to or greater than a first threshold value and the total delay time between the one player P1 and the other player P2 in the extracted one shop is equal to or less than a second threshold value. If the judgment is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP75, and if the judgment is negative, the process proceeds to step SP76.

(Step SP75)
The selection means 66 selects the extracted arcade game device 14 as the arcade game device 14 in the common arcade to which the one player P1 and the other player P2 will connect. Then, the process proceeds to step SP78.

(Step SP76)
The selection means 66 selects, as the commercial game device 14 of the common store, the commercial game device 14 of the store having the shortest total delay time between one player P1 and another player P2 among the multiple stores S. Then, the process proceeds to step SP78.

(Step SP78)
The selection means 66 judges whether or not the operation rate of the commercial game devices 14 in the common store is equal to or higher than a third threshold value. If the judgment is affirmative, the process returns to step SP72, and if the judgment is negative, the process proceeds to step SP80. When returning to step SP72, the selection means 66 selects an commercial game device in one store from among the commercial game devices 14 in the multiple stores S, excluding the commercial game device 14 in the store S that was previously selected. Instead of judging whether or not the operation rate is equal to or higher than a threshold value, the selection means 66 may judge whether or not the commercial game device 14 is in use.

(Step SP80)
The selection means 66 judges whether the difference in the common store is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold. The first threshold and the fourth threshold may be the same or different. From the viewpoint of maintaining equality, it is preferable that the fourth threshold is less than the first threshold. If the judgment is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP82, and if the judgment is negative, the process proceeds to step SP84.

(Step SP82)
The delay means of the server device 10 executes a delay process to slow down the communication speed between the first player terminal device 12A and the commercial game device 14 of the common store S, and between the first player terminal device 12A and the commercial game device 14 of the common store, so that the communication speed becomes the same as the communication speed of the slower one. Specifically, the delay means controls the buffer provided in the server device 10, the commercial game device 14, etc. to perform buffering. For example, if one player communicates from Tokyo to the commercial game device 14 of the store S in Shizuoka, and another player communicates from Osaka to the commercial game device 14 of the store S in Shizuoka, and the network delay between Tokyo and Shizuoka is 15 msec and the network delay between Osaka and Shizuoka is 30 msec, the delay process is executed to slow down the communication speed between Tokyo and Shizuoka, which has the faster communication speed, so that the communication speed becomes the same as the communication speed between Osaka and Shizuoka, which has the longer network delay, in other words, the communication speed between Tokyo and Shizuoka, which has the slower communication speed. Then, the process proceeds to step SP84.

(Step SP84)
The selection means 66 transmits (outputs) a connection instruction to the first player terminal device 12A and the second player terminal device 12B so as to connect for communication to the commercial game device 14 of the common store S. This connection instruction includes the IP address of the commercial game device 14 of the common store S. Then, the process proceeds to step SP86.

(Step SP86)
The first player terminal device 12A receives a connection instruction from the server device 10. In response to this, the first player terminal device 12A establishes a communication connection with the commercial game device 14 of the common store S selected by the selection means 66, based on the IP address included in the received connection instruction. Next, the first player terminal device 12A transmits a game execution request to the commercial game device 14 with which the communication connection has been established. Then, the processing proceeds to step SP34.

(Step SP88)
The second player terminal device 12B receives a connection instruction from the server device 10. In response to this, the second player terminal device 12B establishes a communication connection with the commercial game device 14 of the common store S selected by the selection means 66, based on the IP address included in the received connection instruction. Next, the second player terminal device 12B transmits a game execution request to the commercial game device 14 with which the communication connection has been established. Then, the processing proceeds to step SP34.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the game is a competitive game in which one player P1 competes against another player P2, and the selection means 66 selects an arcade game device 14 in a common store for the one player P1 and the other player P2 based on the measurement results of the communication speed between the first player terminal device 12A of the one player P1 and each of the arcade game devices 14 and the measurement results of the communication speed between the second player terminal device 12B of the other player P2 and each of the arcade game devices 14.
According to this configuration, it is possible to select the commercial game devices 14 in a common store so that the communication speed, in other words, the delay time of the network delay, is the same, and the playing environment between players in playing a competitive game can be made approximately equal.

In addition, in the second embodiment, when there is a difference between the measurement result of the communication speed between the first player terminal device 12A of one player P1 and the commercial game device 14 of the common store S selected by the selection means 66, and the measurement result of the communication speed between the second player terminal device 12B of another player P2 and the commercial game device 14 of the common store S selected by the selection means 66, the server device 10 is equipped with a delay means that executes a delay process to slow down the faster communication speed so that the faster communication speed becomes equal to the slower communication speed.
According to this configuration, even if there is a difference in delay time due to network delay, the difference can be shortened by executing delay processing, and unfairness between players when playing a competitive game can be reduced.

Third Embodiment
Finally, a game system according to a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a game server device for executing a game, and selects one of the commercial game devices 14 of one store S and the game server device as a target for communication connection with the player terminal device 12 according to the current time zone.

Figure 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system 1C according to the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the game system 1C according to the third embodiment includes a matching server device 10A and a game server device 10B as the server device 10. Note that the functionality of the game server device 10B may be provided in the matching server device 10A.

The matching server device 10A selects an arcade game device from among the arcade game devices 14 of the multiple stores S based on the measurement results of the measurement means 64, and outputs an instruction to the player terminal device 12 to connect to the arcade game device 14 of the selected store S for communication.

The game server device 10B, like the commercial game device 14, processes the progress of the second game based on the player operation information received from the player terminal device 12, and transmits the progress processing results of the second game to the player terminal device 12.

Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the game system 1C according to the third embodiment. Note that the content and order of the following processing can be changed as appropriate.

(Step SP100)
After the process of step SP12, the selection means 66 of the matching server device 10A judges whether or not the current time is outside, for example, the earliest business hours among the business hours of the multiple stores S. If the judgment is affirmative, the process proceeds to the process of step SP102, and if the judgment is negative, the process proceeds to the process of step SP104.

(Step SP102)
The selection means 66 selects an arcade game device of one of the arcade game devices 14 of the multiple arcades S based on the measurement results of the communication speed between the arcade game devices 14 of the multiple arcades S and the player terminal devices 12. Then, the process proceeds to step SP108.

(Step SP104)
The selection means 66 judges whether or not the average operating rate of the arcade game devices 14 in the multiple stores S is equal to or higher than a threshold value. If the judgment is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP106, and if the judgment is negative, the process proceeds to step SP102.

(Step SP106)
The selection means 66 selects the game server device 10 B. Then, the process proceeds to step SP .

(Step SP108)
The selection means 66 transmits (outputs) a connection instruction to the player terminal device 12 to connect to the selected device, i.e., the commercial game device 14 or the game server device 10B. This connection instruction includes the IP address of the commercial game device 14 or the game server device 10B. Then, the process proceeds to step SP110.

(Step SP110)
The player terminal device 12 receives a connection instruction from the server device 10. In response to this, the player terminal device 12 establishes a communication connection with the arcade game device 14 or the game server device 10B selected by the selection means 66, based on the IP address included in the received connection instruction. Then, the process proceeds to the same process as in step SP34.

As described above, the third embodiment includes a game server device 10B that processes the progress of the second game based on player operation information received from the player terminal device 12 and transmits the results of the process of progressing the second game to the player terminal device 12. Then, the selection means 66 selects, in accordance with the current time zone, one of the arcade game device 14 and the game server device 10B of one store S as a target for communication connection with the player terminal device 12.
With this configuration, the first game and the second game can be smoothly provided to the player.

<Modification>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. In other words, even if a person skilled in the art appropriately modifies the above-described embodiment, the same will be included in the scope of the present invention as long as it has the characteristics of the present invention. In addition, the elements of the above-described embodiment and the modified examples described below can be combined to the extent technically possible, and the combination of these elements will also be included in the scope of the present invention as long as it has the characteristics of the present invention.

For example, in the first embodiment described above, the measurement means 64 first outputs an instruction to measure the communication speed between the commercial game device 14 of one store S and the player terminal device 12 for each region of Japan, but an instruction to measure the communication speed between the commercial game device 14 of one store S and the player terminal device 12 for each country may also be output. In this case, the measurement means 64 extracts the country with the fastest communication speed, and then outputs an instruction to measure the communication speed between the commercial game device 14 of one store S and the player terminal device 12 for each region of the extracted country.

In the above first embodiment, the selection means 66 selects an arcade game device from among the arcade game devices 14 of multiple arcades S. However, the measurement results may be made available to the player, and the player may operate the input device of the player terminal device 12 to select an arcade game device 14 based on the measurement results, etc.

In the above first embodiment, the commercial game device 14 connected to the player terminal device 12 performs the progress processing of the cloud game. However, the commercial game device 14 may transmit to the player terminal device 12 a gameplay video showing another player's play of the first game or the second game (cloud game) being executed by the commercial game device 14. In this case, the player can watch the gameplay video of the other players in real time on the player terminal device 12.

In the above first embodiment, the selection means 66 selects one commercial game device in one store from among the commercial game devices 14 in multiple stores S, but two or more commercial game devices in one store may be selected from among the commercial game devices 14 in multiple stores S. In this case, the two or more commercial game devices process the progress processing of the cloud game in a distributed manner. In addition, instead of selecting a commercial game device 14, the selection means 66 may select an information processing device installed in one store and connected to the commercial game device 14 from among information processing devices (excluding the commercial game devices 14) installed in multiple stores S and connected to the commercial game devices 14.

In the first embodiment, the case where the store table 60A is stored in the storage means 60 has been described, but a group table in which stores S with the same network delay are grouped for each city, town, or village may be stored in the store table 60A, or separately from the store table 60A. In this case, the measurement means 64 may extract a representative store from among the multiple stores S for each city, town, or village based on the store table 60A and the group table.

In the above third embodiment, the selection means 66 selects either the commercial game device 14 or the game server device 10B as a target for communication connection with the player terminal device 12 depending on the current time zone. However, the selection means 66 may switch between the commercial game device 14 and the game server device 10B as a connection destination depending on the game situation. For example, the selection means 66 may switch to the game server device 10B as a connection destination in a game situation where network delays are unlikely to be a problem, and switch to the commercial game device 14 as a connection destination in a game situation where a lot of videos and the like are used and network delays are likely to be a problem. Also, the player may be able to operate an input device to select either the commercial game device 14 or the game server device 10B.

1A: Game system, 1B: Game system, 1C: Game system, 10: Server device, 10A: Matching server device (server device), 64: Measurement means, 66: Selection means

Claims (10)

A game system including a server device capable of communicating with a player terminal device operated by a player, and game execution devices installed at a plurality of bases,
The server device includes:
a measuring means for, when receiving a request from the player terminal device, outputting a measurement instruction to the player terminal device for measuring a communication speed between the game execution devices of the plurality of bases and the player terminal device, and receiving a measurement result of the communication speed ;
a selection means for selecting a game execution device at one base from among the game execution devices at the plurality of bases based on the measurement result, and outputting an instruction to the player terminal device to connect to the selected game execution device at the one base;
Equipped with
a game execution device at one base that is connected for communication with said player terminal device performs a game progress process based on the player operation information received from said player terminal device, and transmits a result of the game progress process to said player terminal device;
Game system. the game execution device executes a first game when a value medium is paid, and executes a second game different from the first game when the game execution device is connected to the player terminal device for communication;
The game system according to claim 1 . the measuring means acquires operation statuses of the game execution devices at the plurality of bases;
the selection means selects a game execution device at one base from among the game execution devices at the plurality of bases based on the measurement result and the operation status.
The game system according to claim 2 . the selection means selects a game execution device at a location that has shown a measurement result with the fastest communication speed among the measurement results.
4. A game system according to claim 1. The server device includes a storage means for storing a plurality of bases in association with each region,
the measurement means extracts one base from among the plurality of bases for each region, outputs a measurement instruction to the player terminal device for measuring a communication speed between a game execution device of each extracted base and the player terminal device, and receives a measurement result of the communication speed , extracts a region linked to a base showing a measurement result with the fastest communication speed among the measurement results, outputs a measurement instruction to the player terminal device for measuring a communication speed between a game execution device of the plurality of bases linked to the extracted region and the player terminal device, and receives a measurement result of the communication speed .
5. A game system according to claim 1. The game is a competitive game in which one player plays against another player,
the selection means selects a game execution device at a common base for the one player and the other players based on a measurement result of a communication speed between the player terminal device of the one player and each game execution device and a measurement result of a communication speed between the player terminal device of the one player and each game execution device of the other players.
3. The game system according to claim 1 or 2. The server device includes:
a delay means for executing a delay process to slow down a faster communication speed so that the faster communication speed becomes equal to the slower communication speed when there is a difference between a measurement result of a communication speed between the player terminal device of said one player and the game execution device at the common base selected by said selection means and a measurement result of a communication speed between the player terminal device of said other player and the game execution device at the common base selected by said selection means;
The game system according to claim 6 . When the server device is a matching server device,
a game server device that processes the game based on player operation information received from the player terminal device and transmits a result of the game progress processing to the player terminal device;
the selection means selects, in accordance with a current time zone, one of the game execution device at the one base and the game server device as a device to be connected for communication with the player terminal device;
A game system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. An information processing device capable of communicating with a player terminal device operated by a player,
a measuring means for, when receiving a request from the player terminal device, outputting a measurement instruction to the player terminal device for measuring a communication speed between the game execution devices installed at a plurality of bases and the player terminal device, and receiving a measurement result of the communication speed ;
a selection means for selecting a game execution device at one base from among the game execution devices at the plurality of bases based on the measurement result, and outputting an instruction to the player terminal device to connect to the selected game execution device at the one base;
An information processing device comprising: A computer capable of communicating with a player terminal device operated by a player,
a measuring means for, when receiving a request from the player terminal device, outputting a measurement instruction to the player terminal device for measuring a communication speed between the game execution devices installed at a plurality of bases and the player terminal device, and receiving a measurement result of the communication speed ;
a selection means for selecting a game execution device at one base from among the game execution devices at the plurality of bases based on the measurement result, and outputting an instruction to the player terminal device to connect to the selected game execution device at the one base;
A program to function as a

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